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Tires

Familiarity: I returned this product before using it

I purchased a set (2) for a new set of wheels I just purchased. I had my LBS glue them on and when I picked them up they reported the tires would only hold air for a short time but some Stan's no tube should fix them up. (Note: the LBS mechanic is a long time Racer/mechanic/custom frame builder) I installed the Stan's ( I have been running tubeless on my XCMTB for years) and it slowed the pressure loss but never enough to ride/race on even after many applications (Apply Stan's, Inflate, rotate wheel). CC graciously accepted my request for a return.

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Valve leaks. Tread off center.

Familiarity: I returned this product before using it

I bought 3 pair(6 tires total). 2 of which had OFF Center tread. One had a valve issue. I ended up returning those three, and Competitive Cyclist sent me one in return. Figured the price was good, so I got two more. Both were bad.

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Great all-rounder tub!!!

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

First off, for those complaining of valve leaking issues, I have run four of these tires with no issues. I don't think the other comments here are because of a bad batch. I am going to cite user error. Sorry guys. Your valve may not have been tightened down enough or the black o-ring in the valve not seated or lubed correctly. See image of a similar Vittoria valve. These XMs have the same function. They do come off and they need to be tight and in my opinion, the o-ring greased.

Review:

I am in the middle of my second season on this set of tubs. 8 races last year and I am planning to do 12 this year (6 done already). Courses have ranged all over the place. I have run them on dry grass, wet grass, full on rainy mud bogs, tree roots, gopher holes, clay, sand pits and sand beaches, rocky singletrack pavement sections, jumps, etc. You get the picture. I have really tested them! I can only afford one pair of tub rims at the moment and these XM tires have worked incredibly well. They may not have as much grip as some other tread patterns but for an all-rounder, they work great. The rubber compound is super soft and supple with plenty of grip in all conditions. In a soggy race I did last year, they accumulated so little mud compared to other riders on the course that I never had to stop and clear my drive-chain once. Other racers were caked and baked! I was cruising and I thank these tires for their mud shedding ability. Overall, at this price, I recommend you buy these. If they leak air and it cannot be fixed by tightening the valve, then return them and try another pair. They are awesome.

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I finally had one of these tires give up the ghost, bad timing too since I was on the start line for a race. Had to run to the pits for a new wheel! I'm not sure if it was my fault but I got a puncture where the rubber base of the valve attaches to the latex tube. I either bottomed the rim too many times in that spot or as others have mentioned, maybe just a bad design. It was a hole and not a failed valve so not sure what to think. I am buying two more because these are still an amazing deal. This tire lasted 1.5 seasons, not good but not bad either. I will inflate and leave air in the new tires once i get them to check for defects with valve stem, as others have mentioned. Still, I've had no issues with the stem itself.

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Poor Mud tire

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

These are definitely not a mud tire, at the most they are an all-arounder. They also do not have removable valve cores which means if you take a wack and tear the inner latex tube you can't use sealant and are forced to buy a new tire.

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I disagree about the mud comment. These worked great in different types of mud on the few occasions I've had to use them. The valve core thing is an issue if you want to put sealant into the tire. You might be able to "pre-seal" which I've never tried but during a race, instant sealant like Vittoria Pit Stop isn't going to work on these. Elsewise, you can always disassemble the tubular and patch the tube.

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Leak at base of stem

Familiarity: I've used it several times

Ordered two along with the approved Vittoria valve extenders. One inflated and seated great while the other leaked at the valve stem base. I tried thread tape and sealant so far with only Stans sealing the leak...for now. Once I mount the valve stem leak we'll see how it holds up.

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Do you know the red valves are removable. They unscrew at the base of the valve, unlike other valves that you remove from the top. The whole red valve thing comes off. Maybe not the best design from a traditional standpoint but a leaky valve can be fixed by screwing down the entire red valve stem or removing to check for issues. I've run my XMs for two seasons with no problems, no leaking at the valve.

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prolly rides fine, but...

Familiarity: I returned this product before using it

I had the same problem as others when pumping the tires. I was able to have the tires hold air only after they were sitting nicely on the rim. I think the problem is the connection of the valvestem to the interior latex tube, but i'm just speculating.

Further problem: When I tried to mount the tires, for some reason they were both leaning off to one side of the wheel. This was really weird, and it made it difficult to get them to sit on the rim long enough to even get air in the tire. A couple of times i tried to get them on the rim to stretch them out, the tires just popped off when they got a little air. Eventually I got them on to stretch, but then when deflated I got the same damn problem again!

I started stretching a Challenge Limus and it's working out super easy, as it should.

I'll bet these things ride great, but they're a pain in the ass to mount, so screw it.

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failed tubes

As others here have stated, the tires do not hold air. I stretched the tire on the rims and inflated them before gluing, and both failed to hold any air. Competitive Cyclist/Backcountry took care of the return without issue.

I will buy replacements from Competitive cyclist, but I will get different tires.

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They Leak!

Ordered three, two leaked bad around the base of the valvestem. One after I had glued it, one before, one seems to be ok. Poor quality. Since I glued them I cant return and dont have the tags for the 3rd.

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Closeout for a reason

Familiarity: I returned this product before using it

every review i read about this product says it's a great tire. So i was really excited to see such a great tire for such a low price. But when I tried to install them, I found out why they have been reduced so much. I've had to return two of these tires now because the tube inside the tire failed and rendered the tire useless. The first time, there was a slow leak that I found in the morning when the rim was touching the ground. The second time, the tube simply busted when I tried to pump it up. Seems like they're just trying to get rid of some inventory and the tubes are old so beware before you take advantage of this discount.

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Why does this tubular tire that was...

Why does this tubular tire that was supposedly designed with Cyclocross in mind have recommended inflation pressure of 30-90 PSI? Most cyclocross tubular tires will be run with pressures in the mid 20s to mid 30 PSI.

Answer cyclo-steve's Question

Due to vittorias having a high tpi, they are very supple. So at lower pressures like common for cross tubs, these will get punctures. When riding them at the recommended pressure they will feel a lot lower in pressure because of how soft and supple they are.